At the 2017 New York Wine & Food Classic…

Watkins Glen, New York, August 9 – Buttonwood Grove Winery 2016 Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2017 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 8 & 9 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY.

The “Winery of the Year” award was a tie between CK Cellars/Torrey Ridge Winery from the Finger Lakes Region, and Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery from the North Fork of Long Island.

The Governor's Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the "Best of Show" or top prize of all 958 entries in the Classic, known as "The Oscars" of New York wine. The "Winery of the Year" award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.

“We applaud the winners in a very competitive event, as well as the strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for the New York wine industry” said Jim Trezise, former President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which sponsors the Classic; Trezise oversaw the 2017 Classic for the last time.

This year's competition included 915 New York wines, 27 Hard Ciders and 16 Craft Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. The Buttonwood Grove Winery 2016 Riesling was also voted Best Medium Sweet Riesling, Best Overall Riesling, and Best White on its way to the ultimate award. CK Cellars/Torrey Ridge Winery won Best Catawba and Best Pink wine on its way to the Winery of the Year award. Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery won Best Vinifera Sparkling White, Best Vinifera Sparkling Pink and Best Sparkling on their way to the Winery of the Year award.

A "Specialty Wine Champion" award recognizes consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2017 winner was 21 Brix Winery Raspberry.

A "Best Limited Production Wine" award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Barnstormer Winery 2016 Riesling N6679P.

There are also awards for Best Spirit and Best Cider. The Best Spirit honor went to Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin, while the Best Cider was Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Cider Tree with Citra Hops.

The awards were based on blind tastings by 21 expert judges-2 from California, 12 from New York, and 7 from other states. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 21 judges for Best of Category and Governor's Cup awards.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 420 New York wineries from all regions. In 2017, a total of 81 Double Gold, 88 Gold, 454 Silver, and 241 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, "Best of Category" and "Best of Class" designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel's judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.

The "Best of Category" awards, all eligible for the Governor's Cup, went to:

Complete results of the 2017 Classic will also soon be posted under “Industry/New York Wine & Food Classic” and under "Awards" both at www.newyorkwines.org, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.